While it’s normal to seek companionship and a new relationship after a divorce, the decision to move in together when kids are involved will present a unique set of challenges. If you’re planning to move in with a new love interest after your divorce, and you have kids with your former spouse, you have a lot to think about. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but there are some important considerations to point out that will hopefully reduce the chances of going back to court to modify your current child custody arrangement or parenting time.
First of all, before you consider moving in with a new love interest, you need to weigh whether the move would be good for you and your child. Has your new significant other proven that they’re trustworthy and stable? Do you feel comfortable, safe, and confident with your choice? Considering that your child will be involved, their safety and wellbeing should be a top priority. You’ll have to consider how far away the new residence is from your child’s current school. You’ll also need to factor in whether your child will wind up losing friends due to the move. Overall, if the move isn’t good for you and your child, then it’s best to hold off until you can find a better arrangement.
Another very important and serious concern is whether your move will impact your current child custody arrangement or parenting time agreement. If you plan to move far away, or out of state, you’ll likely have to have the other parent’s approval. Each state has different laws, but in general, if you’re planning to move a significant distance away from your previous location, it is unreasonable to just expect the other parent to travel extreme distances to exercise their parental visitation rights. Your child’s safety is also relevant to your current child custody arrangements. If your former spouse or the courts have good reason to believe your child isn’t safe with your new love interest, then your child custody could be at risk. If you have any concerns about your parental agreements, rights, and obligations, you should consult with a family law attorney.
Another consideration is how your child feels about all of the changes. Of course, you don’t have to entirely base your decisions on your child’s feelings, but it’s still very important for you to validate your child’s feelings and consider them. If your child is very resistant to the move or they’re already starting to resent your new partner because of the changes, then it might be a good idea to put a pause on your plans.
In so many situations, you wouldn’t ask your new love interest to step up when it comes to your children. If you’re taking the very serious step of moving in together, however, then you need to have that serious conversation. This is especially true if your new significant other has never lived with children before. To make sure that your significant other is comfortable and familiar with what will be expected of them, consider having a few “test runs” before finalizing any decisions to move in together. In other words, take a few vacations together or test out how it would feel to live together without actually moving in.
Ciyou & Associates, P.C. provides comprehensive family law services that cover all stages of the marital and familial life cycle. From pre- and post-nuptial agreements to child custody, divorce litigation and mediation, Ciyou & Associates, P.C. is well versed in family law. The attorneys at Ciyou & Associates, P.C. are experienced in navigating the complexities of family law and will provide personalized counsel that meets your individual needs. We recognize that family law matters can be highly charged with emotion and every situation is unique. Our goal is to guide our clients through the process in a way that preserves as much stability for their family as possible.
We understand that you may need not only legal advice, but also emotional support during this difficult time. Our attorneys are dedicated to your case and will work with you every step of the way to ensure that your rights and interests are protected. This blog was written by attorneys at Ciyou & Associates, P.C. who handle legal matters and appeals from all of Indiana’s ninety-two (92) counties. It is written for general educational purposes. It is not to be relied upon for any specific legal matter or issues. This blog is not legal advice. It is an advertisement.
